The association of asymptomatic oral Candida colonization with the markers of immunodeficiency and HIV is not clear yet. In addition, the prevalence of different Candida species colonizing the oral cavity of HIV-infected patients in Turkey remains unknown. To evaluate these subjects, oral rinse samples were taken from 64 HIV-positive individuals who have come to the department of Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Istanbul Medical Faculty for viral load and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte count measurement. The specimens were plated quantitatively on CHROMagar Candida. Oral Candida colonization was detected in 53 (82.8%) patients. The species isolated most frequently from carriers was Candida albicans (83%), followed by Candida glabrata (22.6%) and Candida dubliniensis (11.3%). More than one Candida spp. was isolated from 16 (30%) colonized patients. The status of yeast carriage and Candida load was not associated with the number of CD4(+) cells or the viral load. Similarly, there was no statistical relation between the use of protease inhibitors, age, gender, smoking and the oral carriage of Candida. Other factors, which may be responsible for the high oral carriage of Candida spp. in this patient group, need to be researched.

Denture-related stomatitis (DRS) is still a dilemma in removable prosthodontics. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of DRS with the presence of Candida albicans hyphae and Lactobacillus. A total of 91 patients wearing maxillary and mandibular complete dentures were included in the present study and tested mycologically as well as bacteriologically. A statistically significant association of DRS was found with denture age (p = 0.003) and continuous denture wearing (p = 0.015). Presence of C. albicans hyphae was shown to be significantly higher in DRS cases (p < 0.01), and there was a statistically significant positive correlation between presence of hyphae and C. albicans (p < 0.01). Another interesting finding was that DRS patients showed higher Lactobacillus counts in their saliva (p = 0.04), as well as in the palate (p = 0.028). C. albicans is an important factor in the development of DRS. Hyphae seem to facilitate the rise of C. albicans counts and be related to the inflammatory response of the tissues. Lactobacillus seems to play an important role in the presence of DRS, as well. In agreement with many other studies, the results of this study confirm the importance of denture age and continuous denture wearing in the development of DRS.

Since the first report in 1998, 10 cases of Pichia ohmeri infection have been reported in the literature. Here we present two new cases of P. ohmeri infection in the paediatric age group. The first case was an 8-month-old male infant, who was admitted with fever, convulsions and altered consciousness. Conservative therapy was started with a presumptive diagnosis of encephalitis. The patient failed to respond to the given treatments and died on the 21st day of hospitalisation. The second case was a 10-year-old male with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. He was hospitalised with neutropenic fever. He was discharged after 3 weeks of therapy. In both cases P. ohmeri was identified in blood samples. Growing evidence indicates that P. ohmeri should be added to the lengthening list of opportunistic fungal pathogens that can cause infection in all ages, including infants, and particularly in those who are immunocompromised.

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